"Thank you for coming Mr. and Mrs. Loud." Dr. Oharris said as the Loud family stood in the hospital.
"So what seems to be the trouble?" Lynn Sr. asked before everyone.
"Well, it is this." The doctor presented the paper showing off an X-Ray of Lincoln's body. Lincoln's upper body was fine, but the lower body was another story. The hip on his lower body was cracked on the side, but not shattered. This put the whole family in shock, let alone horrifying. "You see, when your son that was attacked, the knife had managed to pierce deep in his right medial iliac and supracetabular that was heavily injured and nearly touched a portion of his spine. Therefore, it had limited his movements."
Rita gasped as she asked, "So you're saying?"
"In other words elder brother will be unable to walk freely under his condition, due to the damaged on his pelvis bone." Lisa translated.
The doctor nodded at the family, "I'm afraid so little one, your son is going to be in a wheelchair for a while even when he gets out of the hospital. At the very least, it will take a month or two for him to fully heal and get back on his feet."
The Loud family looked at Lincoln with sadness, Lincoln caught the look as he smiled and said, "Come on guys, I'm feeling fine." He tried to lift himself on his own two feet, only to try to prove the doctor's thesis wrong, he felt a great amount of pain upon his hip. It was like something had snapped inside of him. "Ow, Charlie horse!" He collapsed down.
The doctor helped the white haired boy on the wheelchair. "I'm sorry Lincoln, but you're going to be in a wheelchair until you're all healed up." "But I assure you that this is not for life."
"Hey look at the bright side Lincoln, at least you finally have your own set of wheels." Luan joked trying to cheer up the boy with a smile.
The family could not help but look sad to see how this situation quickly had escalated with Lincoln. Still, it was not all bad as they thought on this endeavor. Lynn could not bear the sight of it as she stormed out of the room. Lots of things boiled into her mind at the moment. It was one thing that Lincoln was hurt, but another that he was not able to move freely now that she knew how bad the stab was.
Anger and guilt sizzled inside of her as she squeezed the plastic water cup, spilling all over her hands. She suffered sports injuries this before, but never this bad that it would make her crippled. Inside the waiting room, she sat quietly to herself. Darkening her shadow, Lynn Sr. came in see her how his daughter was doing.
"Sweetie, do you want to talk about it?" Lynn Sr. was the first inquire.
Lynn shook her head silently. He sat down beside her. She tossed her cup of water and shouted, "It's just not fair, damn it! They were aiming for me and yet he got caught up in all this? Why did this have to happen?"
"Lynn, calm down."
"And why haven't the police caught those idiots yet?" Lynn continued as she slammed her fist on the wall.
"Lynn Jr, look I'm angry and frustrated too, but you're not the only one you know. Your mother and I are just as affected as you are. Your mother could not stop crying over your brother getting hurt badly like this. You just have to hold it together."
Lynn Jr stood up from her seat and tilted her eyes the other direction. Even from her silence, Lynn Sr. could still feel the anger and regret inside of her. She walked away. "I don't know if I can."
"Lynn, where are you going?"
"I'm gonna get some air, I'll meet you back at home."
"Don't you want to say goodbye to Lincoln first?"
"See you later," Lynn said with remorse in her voice.
The father of the Loud children entered back into the hospital room as the mother noticed him coming in. "Hey honey, where is Lynn?"
"She said, she'll meet us back at home."
"Ugh, what is her deal lately?" Lola asked. "Lincoln is hurt and she's being so weird lately?"
"Yeah, is she sick or something?" Leni asked.
"Chill out dudette, she's just probably having a hard time accepting this." Luna said trying to cheer up her little sister.
Lori folded her arms and replied, "Maybe, but she has not been visiting Lincoln lately."
Saturday morning Lynn spent her morning on the batting cages. With every baseball, she gave a hard swing hitting the cages as hard as she could. While not at home, she figured another way to deal with her aggression then in the cages. She image her foe as the baseball as giving every hit out there. Little kids who occupied the batting cages as well were almost afraid to even attempt the cages as well.
After the last it, the baseball stuck the Pitching Machine. Inside the shooter, the pressure was overloaded; therefore, it burst inside, thus breaking the machine. She knew he was a heavy hitter, but not that much.
As one of the owners checked the machine, Lynn gave her apology. "Don't worry about it kid, they were old anyway, can't control players as talented as yourself."
"Well so your just as dangerous in the cages as you as outside." Brandon said watching Lynn.
"What do you want Brandon?" Lynn inquired, not in the mode to talk.
The boy walked up to her, "Just seeing how you were doing, you stormed off the other day. So how is your brother?"
Lynn grabbed her bat and started to head off, Brandon followed. "Just peachy, aside from the fact that he can't walk."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah, whatever, at least it's not forever." Lynn continued to dwell on her brother's fate. The boy could almost see the unease in her eyes. So he decided to do something about it.
"Hey," Brandon called throwing Lynn a baseball, and quickly she caught it. "How about a game of catch? Whenever, I was feeling down, my dad would often offer to play catch with me, and he was a pro back then."
Knowing her competitive nature, she reluctantly accepted, not knowing where it was going. She tossed the ball to Brandon and he tossed back. He decided to test her reach as he threw the ball far, but it did not stop her from pursuing like a hunting dog. Reaching the twentieth strength, she leaped down, crashing into the dirt and caught the ball with her hands. She had to feel mighty lucky pushing her sports limits to the next level.
So she decided to test him as well. With a deep breathe and swing of the arm, she tossed the ball very far. The ball flew across the field and into the parking lot. At any moment, the baseball was ready to break a car window until Brandon had caught the ball, landing on the car itself. So he ended up tossing a curve ball to the young athlete.
"Not bad for a rookie," Lynn hated to admit it, but she was impressed with his skills. And from the perfect handle, he was not that much of a rookie then he lets on.
"You're not slouch yourself, been practicing when I was young." Brandon caught the ball tossed by Lynn.
"Yeah, well so have I."
"No matter why your team beat mind, you certainly got the dedication and the ambition."
Lynn pounded her fist into her baseball mitt. "Flattery will not make me go easy on you."
"I'd be insulted if you didn't."
As the two exchanged throws and dialogues, Lynn continued to keep her defenses up, since she was still on the hunt. Yet she was not fully convinced that he was being a nice person. One way or the other, she thought he had to have an ulterior motive. So she was not fully convinced, cause it was innocent until proven guilty at this point.
The fake smiles on her face as she was having a nice time was only a ruse. Even with the investigation, she knew the real assailant was still or there or could have been in front of her. When the African American teenager caught the ball, they were suddenly disturbed by teasing.
"Hey Brandon, you still trying to chase after your sellout of a father?" One of the boys started to tease. "Better be careful or you may end up just like him."
"Yeah, I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Another guy added.
"Yeah, or more like a rotten apple." The third guy added joking around, causing laughter among the other guys.
This caught Lynn's attention, but Brandon held her back. One insult after another, he was not at all phase. "Just ignore them Lynn."
"Be sure not to go down the Hall of Shame." The guys continued to poke and make fun of.
Brandon grabbed Lynn by the hand and left. "Come one Lynn; let's go somewhere that doesn't attract unwanted attention."
"What was that about?" Lynn could not resist to ask.
"Nothing, they are just jerks who feel they can say whatever they want to." He shot back, holding back as much anger as he had. But Lynn didn't believe it one bit, yet she was not going to force him. "How about we stop at Burp-IN-Burger, my treat?" He offered.
While still in the hospital, Lincoln tried to make the best of his condition. He had to deal with the fact that his pelvis was heavily injured. Despite his legs working fine, he didn't have his strong pelvis to support it. It was like a chair without a leg. While fighting for recovery, now he had to fight Boredom. Boredom came into his mind as his homework was done, all of his Ace Savvy comes were read, and his handheld game was beaten.
Peace and quiet was nice for him for a while, but after a certain amount of time he almost wished for something more active. He could still remember how much his mom harped on him about not doing some exercise. And since he was cooped up in bed, exercise was very limited. He rolled out of bed into his wheelchair.
Before he could set off, a couple of knocks came at his door. "Come in, it's open." He instructed. Opening the door, Lori and her Hispanic boyfriend made his appearance.
"Oh Lincoln, guess who came here to visit you." Lori effused.
"What's up little loud?" Bobby greeted with a fist bump.
"Hey Bobby, so I guess Lori told you what happened to me?" Lincoln asked.
"Nah little bro, mom just happened to work at the same hospital you were admitted to. I didn't find out till after my weekend shift in the mall, so I thought I'd come by to show my support as well."
"So just Babe and Bobby Boo-Boo-Bear came to see me," Lincoln didn't need the answer sheet for this one.
"Nope, someone else did." Lori answered as Bobby's Hispanic sister stepped forward.
"Hey Lame-O." Ronnie Anne chirped.
"Ronnie Anne, what are you doing here?"
"I also heard about what happened, so how are you feeling?"
"I'm getting by, despite my condition." He replied, noticing her was in a wheelchair. Even Ronnie Anne figured out negative signs in his wheelchair. But by the looks on his face, he was not at all broken about it. He kept his optimism in check for everyone to see.
"Come on Lame-O, why don't we get some fresh air, I know you must be cooped up here all day?" Ronnie Anne then went behind and started pushing him in his wheelchair. To Lincoln it was the best words since all day because he was bored out of his mind at the moment.
It feels like forever, since Lincoln felt the sunlight in his face, let alone inhale the outside air. He could hear the birds chirping and the leaves rustling. It was a good thing his former bully had came; otherwise, he'd being lying in his bed in further boredom. Ronnie Anne tossed a Lincoln a cold grape soda. Like his sisters, she also smuggled something in the hospital. As she got her own grape soda, she took a seat on the bench by Lincoln.
There was silence between them at first, but then Ronnie Anne decided to start the conversation. "So how long did they say you would be like this, in a wheelchair?"
"A month in the latest, maybe even longer, according to the doctor, wounds are one thing, broken bones however are another. Looks like I'm just going to have to make use of being in a wheelchair even when I get out."
"I see,"
"So when did you find out what happened to me?"
"Bobby came home ranting on and on about Lori and their fifth month anniversary or is it eight, I lost count."
"Oh Bobby-Boo-Boo-Bear, we are clearly made for one another." Lincoln mocked doing an imitation of Lori, causing Ronnie Anne to laugh.
"We are literally like the beauty and beast babe." Ronnie Anne did the same with Bobby.
"Oh I would never think of you as the beast Boo-Boo-Bear." Lincoln replied, which made the two of them laugh.
Outside the hospital Lincoln and Ronnie Anne mocked and pocked fun of Lori and Bobby's relationship. Making all the imitations they can think of and all the corny names and methods for the love birds. Since the makeup date, dance and the egg incident, the two of them had become close. And as far as they seen Lori and Bobby were concerned, the two of them were anything but inseparable, even after the 'suppose' breakup.
Throughout the weekend, the two athletes from the opposite teams decided to hang out at Burp-IN-Burger. Lynn still didn't understand why the person from one of the teams she faced off with was being so nice, but she didn't pass off a free meal. She spent most of the time convincing herself that this was most definitely not a date. And is especially glad her sisters were not here. Or else any of them would already jump to their own conclusion.
"Here you go, two Bacon Double Cheeseburgers combos." Brandon got the meals.
"Thanks Brandon, I'm starving after a long day." Lynn thanked, munching on a burger.
"It's my pleasure." He smiled sipping a drink.
After the first bite, she faced him. "So Brandon…?"
"You want to know what was that all about back there, do you?" He suspected.
Lynn nodded. She figured while he was being friendly, he would have no problem telling her something.
Brandon felt this coming sooner or later, so he submitted. From his wallet, he pulled out an old photo of his father on a Baseball team. "Years ago, my dad, Travis Winchester, also played for the Royal Woods Squirrels. He was a star player, well known among a lot of his peers, and enjoyed every moment of it. His talent went so far as high school, and many colleges and universities were lining up for scholarships. One time he was offered to play in the nationals even at his young age. But then his baseball career was cut short when one of the teammates busted his leg. And the scholarship money was later withdrawn. He was unable to play baseball after that." Lynn widen her eyes as she continued to chew on her burger. "Even though I am related to someone famous or was going to be famous, people think I'm just living in his shadow, but I'm following my own path, so that is why I joined the Pirates."
"He must have been awesome." Lynn admired the picture.
"Yeah even I looked up to him, maybe perhaps I can show you his old videos."
"Sweet, I liked that." Lynn exclaimed with excitement.
"I was not the most well-coordinated back then, so people never choose me to be a part of their team. But I practiced and got good. Don't tell anybody about this."
"My lips are sealed." Lynn checked her phone. It was text from her sister asking where she was, yet she didn't answer.
"Lynn perhaps, it's not my place to say this. But I think you should visit your brother." He said, noticing Lynn's hangups.
That was probably the last thing she wanted to talk about. Just bringing it up, made her feel queasy inside, and not because of the meal. "Why bother, he probably hates me by now for letting this happen?"
He placed his hand on her shoulder, "I don't know him too well, but I'm sure he can use a friendly face right now. At least to tell him that you're not avoiding him. I'll even go with you to the hospital."
Lynn then nodded her head agreement.
Back in the hospital, Lincoln and Ronnie Anne continued their time together. After spending time outdoors, the two went back inside for some television. It may have not been the most romantic part of a date, but the two had enjoyed each other's company, nevertheless. It only made it better that Bobby or Lori was not trying to push their relationship.
"Ronaldo, it's time to go, Lincoln needs his rest after a long date." Nurse Santiago called out to her youngest daughter. A bit disappointed that the day was over, she obeyed.
"Try not to die. See you later Lame-O." Ronnie Anne gave Lincoln a goodbye jab and left. Lincoln waved back.
As Ronnie Anne took her exit, Lynn stood by the door. Lincoln saw her as it brought a smile to her face. She watched as Lincoln was back in bed, now getting use to not moving as freely as others.
"Hey Lynn, haven't seen you around much lately."
Lynn walked in the room. "Well, I've been busy." Lynn stared at the ground. "I still can't get over it Lincoln."
"You mean the fact that I got hurt, the fact I'm handicapped now, or the fact that your fine and dandy?"
"All the above." Lynn took a seat by Lincoln as she still could not face him. "I should have been able to do more. This never would have happen if it wasn't for me."
"Lynn, you know as well as I that is not true."
"Yeah well even till this day, the more I think about it, the more furious I get. Don't you see Lincoln; this is much more than just a simple bully attack, that's why I've been heavy on edge lately!"
Lincoln shook his head, "So, you think I'm not angry about this, being in a hospital and in a wheelchair?" Lynn folded her arms. "But I try to make the best of it, and I know you will to."
"Maybe for you, but you're the one whose actually in there!" Lynn fired back with anger. "Now I just want to make those guys suffer like they made you suffer."
"Lynn, look at me. I know you're hurt and scared and you have the right to be. But there are something's that even beyond our control. The world isn't perfect, you know."
She argued back, "Come on Lincoln, I thought you of all people would understand that this situation needs closure, what can't you understand?"
"Because what you're getting at is not closure Lynn, its revenge." Lincoln shot back.
"Then maybe that is just what they need, you can't forget about the fact that they hurt you or did you quote that from your dumb Ace Savvy comic books?"
"Lynn, this isn't you, you're just letting those guys get to you."
Lynn calm down a bit. "Look, I didn't come here for lecture, I just came to see how you were, nothing more. One way or the other, they have to pay for what they done."
"Lynn." Lincoln called out stopping her.
"You going to try and stop me." The jock faced her brother, daring him to make a move even if it was little.
"No; but I am hoping you could stop yourself. But ask yourself this; in the end, will you be as satisfied as they are?"
Lynn's rage had shown as she knocked over Lincoln's food tray on the ground. Even if he wanted to, he could not stop her. Still, she didn't respond as she left the hospital room with one objective in mind, nor did she ignore Lincoln's question entirely.
